Openings to game stories have to be catchy, they have to drag the writer into the content and make them ready the copy. Often a solid flare for the dramatic by over stating the circumstances can do the trick in doing exactly that.
Today there was no need to pump up the proceedings by using inflamatory terms as the Flames really needed to have this hockey game. With the Kings losing last night and the Canucks blowing a lead and only securing a point the door was cracked open a teeny tiny bit for the Flames to step back into the playoff picture.
They didn’t disappoint.
A well played coast to coast, 60 minute effort was the result in today’s 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators.
They’rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre back!
The Flow
Calgary comes out hard, pretty much dominating the first six minutes of the contest. They generated scoring chances, maybe not blue chip scoring chances, but chances and came up empty. Was a hollow feeling when the Preds secured the puck in the Flames zone and then went ahead on the team’s second shot of the day. Calgary didn’t sag though, or at least Lance Bouma didn’t sag, as his individual effort resulted in the tying goal when he lugged the puck and three defenders to the net getting his rebound and scoring his 15th of the season. Yeah I said 15. 15! Before the end of the period the Flames go up when a strong shift by the top line results in a Kris Russell shot from the point that hit a Predator and alluded Hutton.
Not a great start to the second period as the Flames bent but didn’t beak from an early push by the Predators. The period had the feeling of a Calgary team that despite all warnings looked determined to sit on a tight margin. But then a great shift from the fourth line resulted in Ferland’s first NHL goal and the push was on from there. Calgary adds to their lead when Jiri Hudler fires the puck through Hutton’s pads to make it 4-1 with eight minutes to play in the period. Calgary comes close again on a late powerplay but Hutton keeps it close, giving the Predators the gumption to push late to make the third a tighter affair. A later Preds powerplay proves dangerous, but in the end they come away empty handed; 4-1 Calgary through 40.
A good start to the third, but then the Flames eventually fall back to a protect the lead plan, which you’d expect in a city like Nashville, just as a push by the home side was inevitable. The Preds fail to score in the first 12 minutes of the period taking a lot of the tension out of the game. A delayed call to Stajan gives the Preds a late goal with the goalie pulled to make the end somewhat in doubt, but the Flames hang on for a season ending win. Bouma ices thing with an empty netter, and the Flames win by 3.
Three Stars
1.Lance Bouma: Sure his second goal of the game was an empty netter, but the importance of his first can’t be understated. Willed his way in and scored a gut check goal exactly when the Flames needed it.
2.Jonas Hiller: Hiller made me nervous on his knees all night, but got the job done with the Predators pressing. Good start for the recent backup.
3.Kris Russell: What more can you say about this guy? Officially credited with an assist at this point, could be turned to a goal, 3 shots, +1 and 6 blocked shots.
Big Save
Hutton had to be huge, trailing 4-1 in the second when Jooris found Raymond all alone in the slot for a one timer that looked to be in for sure.
The Goat
Filip Forsberg. OK, I’ll admit I’m reaching but in a game against Gaudreau Forsberg has no shots on goal, and is -2 with 20 minutes of ice time.
Mr. Clutch
The fourth line. They really set the tone for the game, and besides Bouma were the heart and soul of the Flames effort today. Interesting that both Ferland and Shore were added due to late scratches of both Granlund and Byron, but now that we’ve seen how they look together you have to think they stick together for tomorrow night’s game in Dallas. Ferland and Shore are just beasts down low on the wall, and Stajan has been the solid veteran regardless of who he plugs in with.
Odds and Ends
Some changes to the forward lines as well as in goal for the game with Hiller making the start after Ramo got lit up in the third period in Dallas. Bold move for Hartley given the importance of the game. Michael Ferland steps back into the lineup for a flu stricken Markus Granlund. Sad to see Paul Byron having to come out, given his moving up the roster performance in Minnesota on Friday. Jones, the victim of said promotion, was back with his linemates and solid in today’s matinee. . … With the recent move to Ramo for the Flames you have to wonder what the off season plan will be when it comes to goaltenders. The Flames are pretty much forced to promote Joni Ortio with his wavier status, but now that their go to guy is a UFA and their retained guy is a back up you have to wonder if they’ll move to sign Ramo and perhaps move Hiller in the offseason. I’m guessing they sign Jon Gillies in the next ten days but I don’t expect he’d start his pro career at the NHL level. … Great to see Ferland get his first NHL goal today, after coming up empty in 20 some contents, especially given his one year sobriety this week. That fourth line with Stajan and Shore was an absolute handful for the Preds and should not be broken up tomorrow night. Have to give Shore credit for a great pass to Ferland as well. Ferland looks like he’s going to be a dominant player on the wall when he gets his NHL legs. … Have to wonder if Sam Bennett trailing his first round series by two games increases his chances of seeing NHL action this year from 10% to closer to 70%. They could use his skill and intensity down the stretch. … Speaking of prospects, Gillies and the Friars won their game and will advance to the frozen four and therefore not be jumping on a plane with Craig Conroy tonight. OK I’m kidding, I’m sure the Flames won’t give Gillies the Gaudreau treatment, but imagine if a freak injury created the need and the guy went all Dryden on the Calgary market? I can dream. …. The road to the playoffs is still a difficult one for the Flames, but doesn’t 4 0f 6 sound better than 5 of 7 or 6 of 6? Big time. They have two more tough games on this trip and if they split those and don’t take their eye off the road against Edmonton they will be playing for something in games 81 and 82.
Next Up
Stars. Game time 6.30pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – Paul Byron
Michael Ferland – Josh Jooris – Joe Colborne
Mason Raymond – Matt Stajan – David Jones
TJ Brodie – Deryk Engelland
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
David Schlemko – Rapha Diaz
Jonas Hiller
